Payback (Theatrical+Director's Cut) Germany/UK/Spain

[Eeeper]

Originally Posted by J.Cornelius

Just picked this up from Amazon.UK. I loved the first two acts of the director's cut but found the third act to be quite lacking. Theatrical cut for me, I find the narration by Gibson to be really cool, and found the third act more satisfying. Funny though how narration can work in one movie and not in another, best example is Blade Runner. What ever version has the narration just annoys me.

I also liked the narration in Payback. I kept waiting for him to speak in the DC. Even way into the film, when he's beaten up by the Triad and then gets picked on by Bill Duke and Co. I still waited for it! Oh, well. It doesn't interfere with the DC so I'm cool without it.

In regards to the third act: (SPOILERS! Don't read this unless you've seen the directors cut!)

[Show spoiler]
I would argue the point you made about the third act being lacking. Bearing in mind, Helgeland wanted to keep within the style of 60's/70's film making. The plot doesn't wrap neatly in the DC. Not all the participants died, Porter didn't get away scott free and it felt like you could do a sequel out of it.

The 1999 cut, as you said, is more satisfying and has resolution to it. But I don't mind the idea that the villain isn't really vanquished as such. The only thing that sticks in my mind is that Helgeland didn't go all the way and have a MASSIVE shoot out at the end. I know there's two shoot outs back to back but they don't fit into what he was going for here.

[J.Cornelius]

I see your point about the third act, but I really dislike it when a director will leave an ending vague perhaps to elicit a sequel. I only wonder if I saw the director's cut first would I have preferred that to the theatrical cut.

Either way I am excited to finally have both versions of the film, for whatever reason this is a movie that I can rewatch over and over again and never tire of it.

[Damage Inc.]

Originally Posted by J.Cornelius

Either way I am excited to finally have both versions of the film, for whatever reason this is a movie that I can rewatch over and over again and never tire of it.

Yeah, you might often see me whine about "branching, will there be branching?",
but just the fact that they included both in one set is cool they did so.
Just adds more value to it period, cause you do get more to watch.
Especially in this case it's great as it's almost two different films and opinions about both are widely different.

[Eeeper]

Originally Posted by J.Cornelius

I see your point about the third act, but I really dislike it when a director will leave an ending vague perhaps to elicit a sequel. I only wonder if I saw the director's cut first would I have preferred that to the theatrical cut.

Either way I am excited to finally have both versions of the film, for whatever reason this is a movie that I can rewatch over and over again and never tire of it.

You probably would have liked the DC more. But I'm the same as you, I still think the TC has it's good points and it all depends on how you are feeling whenever you watch either version.

I too am glad to have both versions to compare and enjoy. Now if you could give me Ridley Scott's Legend on BD...

[Adam_ME]

I wish we could've gotten a Blu-ray release of the version they screened for test audiences in 1998. That one had the score from the theatrical cut(as well as temp tracked music from 70's flicks), the blue tinted look, a few more violent scenes, and Mel doesn't get the money at the end. A homeless guy takes it from him as he's laying on the street before Maria Bello's character shows up. I thought that was a funny twist considering the movie opens with him robbing a homeless guy.